§ Mrs. Ann Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what facilities are available for mentally handicapped persons who require secure accommodation in the Bolton area;
(2) what plans have been put forward by Brockhall hospital to increase the accommodation there for mentally handicapped persons requiring secure places.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1981, c. 343–44]: Bolton is the catchment area of Brockhall hospital, in Lancashire area health authority, for mental handicap services. Two wards at Brockhall hospital are available for mentally handicapped patients from the Bolton area who are considered unsuitable for care in open wards—a 30-bed female ward which has been upgraded to accept patients requiring secure accommodation and a 35-bed male ward which is, however, insufficiently secure for the most difficult patients. Where a male patient requiring secure accommodation is referred to Brockhall but can not be accepted there, attempts are made to provide suitable accommodation elsewhere in the Lancashire area. Proposals have been put to the Lancashire area health authority to improve facilities on the 35-bed male ward and these will be considered along with other proposals for capital developments.
§ Mrs. Ann Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally handicapped persons from the Bolton area have been offered secure accommodation at Brockhall hospital.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1981, c. 343–44]: In the last 12 months, eight applications were made to Brockhall hospital for the admission of seven patients from the Bolton area. Five were accepted and three refused, in one case because the consultant concerned did not consider Brockhall to be suitable, in the others because hostel accommodation and a work centre place were considered more appropriate.